Introduction

Qantas has built quite a reputation for friendly crew and passenger comfort, but I wanted to see how their economy meal service stacks up on international routes.

Flying from Melbourne to Singapore and Jakarta to Melbourne allowed me to test their food across different flight lengths and catering locations.

Travelling Soon?

Three smartphones displaying Maya Mobile and app screens, with a graphic labeled โ€œeSIM,โ€ on a blue background featuring the Maya Mobile logoโ€”perfect for travelers staying connected while checking inflight meals or exploring airline food options.
SAVE 15% ON TRAVEL eSIM!

Get instant global connectivity with 15% off all eSIM plans for Inflight Feed readers – activate in minutes with just a QR code scan. Skip the roaming charges and connect to 400+ networks worldwide.

Claim 15% Off Your Travel SIM!

Offer ends June 30th.

The results were mixed, some genuine highlights and a few disappointing shortcuts that left me wondering if Qantas is trying to do too much with too little.

(The latest Qantas economy review for 2025 can be found here)

Interior view of a commercial airplane cabin with passengers seated, overhead compartments closed, and several rows visible. The cabin crew is at the front.

Melbourne to Singapore

Service began with a pre dinner snack from Do Good Labs, an Australian made mix of corn, pretzels, almonds, and soy crisps that actually had flavour and crunch.

It’s nice to see local suppliers rather than generic international brands.

The drink service was impressive, with complimentary wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks, no nickel and diming for basic hospitality, which feels increasingly rare.

An airplane tray table with a packet of snacks labeled "happy hour," an open can of Coca-Cola, a plastic cup with dark liquid, and airline magazine in the seat pocket behind.

Economy passengers could choose between Kung Pao Chicken, beef, or vegetarian for the main meal.

I selected the Kung Pao Chicken, and it turned out to be the flight’s standout dish.

The chicken was genuinely tender and flavourful with that characteristic sweet-spicy balance that defines good Kung Pao preparation.

The sauce had proper depth rather than just sugary heat, while the fluffy jasmine rice provided perfect accompaniment.

Airplane meal on a tray table, including chicken with rice and vegetables, a side of bread on a napkin, a drink in a plastic cup, and packaged cutlery. The background shows seat pockets and a seat belt.
An airline meal tray with mashed potatoes, beef stew with carrots and peas, a piece of bread, and a cup of apple juice on an airplane seat tray table.
A tray table with disposable wooden cutlery, a white tray with food, and a salt and pepper packet on an airplane.
A slice of bread on a napkin next to a glass of amber-colored liquid, likely tea, on an airplane tray table.

The butter infused focaccia deserved recognition as a step above standard economy bread rolls, soft texture, and quality that reminded me of premium airlines like Qatar Airways.

Great bread in economy class can be hard to come by, but when done right, it elevates the entire meal experience.

There were no side salads, fruit, or cheese, just the main dish and bread.

While this streamlined approach reduces waste, it makes meals feel less complete than traditional international economy service.

With regular water runs and additional snacks offered throughout the flight, passengers were well taken care of by the crew.

A blue-packaged item and a packet of soy crisps are placed on an airplane tray table, with the seat pocket visible in the background.

Naturally, no Qantas flight would be complete without Tim Tams served alongside coffee.

Dessert was Murray Street Ice Creamery’s caramel maple and macadamia ice cream bar.

A red paper cup and a Tim Tam Original chocolate biscuit sit on an airplane tray table against a maroon seat back. A Qantas napkin is partially visible in the background.
A chocolate-coated ice cream bar is partially unwrapped and held up in front of an airplane seat pocket containing magazines, with a napkin on the tray table.

Approximately an hour before landing, a second meal service offered passengers the choice of chicken or vegetarian pizza.

A boxed slice of pizza with various toppings sits on an airplane tray table. A red cup containing a beverage is placed in the cup holder next to the tray. Magazines are in the seat pocket.

While the presentation was simple, the flavours were a nice way to finish the journey without feeling heavy.

Jakarta to Melbourne

The return flight was a shorter six-hour overnight journey with consistent Qantas service.

A folded airline blanket is wrapped in plastic and placed on a tray table inside an aircraft.
A neatly folded dark maroon blanket with a label reading "David Caon Qantas" is placed on a black tray.

Blankets designed by Caon Design provided genuine comfort, proper thickness rather than the tissue thin cover some airlines offer.

Dinner offered the same three choices. I opted for beef with potatoes and vegetables, and while satisfying, it wasn’t nearly as memorable as the excellent Kung Pao Chicken.

A plastic bottle of Aqua water and a bag of pretzel snacks labeled "happy hour" are placed on an airplane tray table.
Airplane meal consisting of roast beef with potatoes, carrots, and green beans, accompanied by cutlery packet, clear cup, can of Coca-Cola, napkin, and a bread roll.

The meat was cooked correctly but lacked any taste, while vegetables seemed slightly over cooked.

Dessert was Paddle Pop ice cream that arrived too frozen to enjoy immediately.

A hand holds up a chocolate ice cream bar on a stick, with the wrapper reading "Paddle Pop Choco Magma," against the background of an airplane seat and an in-flight entertainment screen.

The second service was conducted quietly to maximise passenger rest, with the crew discreetly offering orange juice and banana muffins.

Conclusion

Qantas Economy delivers reliable international dining with genuine highlights like excellent Kung Pao Chicken and quality Australian suppliers.

The complimentary beverage service and crew hospitality maintain standards that justify choosing Qantas over cheaper competitors.

However, the simplified meal presentation feels incomplete compared to traditional international service.

Missing fresh components and inconsistent execution (great chicken, mediocre beef) suggest room for improvement.

The Tim Tams, quality ice cream, and local partnerships show Qantas understands that Australian identity matters to passengers.

When they get food right, it’s genuinely good, the challenge is maintaining consistency across all menu options.

About Qantas

Find another airline